“Tricked!” I muttered.
I went to run my hand through my hair and let out an
irritated hiss when I remembered that it had been woven into thick, intertwined
braids. I’d never been subjected to this sort of feminine grooming, even when
I was a princess.
I put my hands on my hips and blew an artfully arranged
tendril of hair out of my face. “Disgusting.”
“Not feeling well?”
I jumped at the sound of Marshall’s voice, embarrassed at
being caught talking to myself. I turned to face him and his eyes widened.
His gaze swept me from head to toe and he started grinning.
“What?” I crossed my arms and tapped my foot impatiently.
He crossed the room and offered me his arm. “The color
suits you, darling.” He didn’t look too bad himself, dressed in a formal suit
and a green silk vest that brought out the color of his eyes.
I glanced down at my dress. It was subdued, but beautiful;
the autumn shades a perfect match for my brown eyes and rust colored hair. I
was sensing a theme. “Ibbe picked out your clothes too?”
He gave me a wry smile. “She has a talent for it, doesn’t
she?”
I took his arm and let him lead me downstairs. Ville had
said the gathering would be small, and it was, as these things go. However, a
couple dozen or so Fallen is still too many when you’re the only Shifter in the
room. I had a moment of panic as I stood in the doorway, clutching Marshall’s
arm. Music played and people milled about, drinking and dancing just like an
honest-to-Gods ball. I hadn’t seen something like this since I was a little
girl. Marshall leaned close to whisper in my ear.
“If you’re too scared, we can always go back to your
room. I’m sure we can find some way to amuse ourselves.” His eyes were full
of mischief.
I gave him a warning look, but his antics had worked and I
was able to breathe again. “I need a drink.”
He laughed and led me to a small bar, where he poured me a
double shot of whiskey. “Drink it slowly. It’s probably a bit stronger than
what you’re used to.”
I nodded and took a sip. Gods. My eyes watered, and
Marshall patted me on the back helpfully. Still gasping and blinking rapidly, I
searched the room. I finally found Ville at the center of a throng of people.
Ibbe and Marshall had decided that I would be Marshall’s guest tonight, just in
case. No one had elaborated in case of what, but I could fill in the blanks.
In case I wasn’t well received, and the whole lot of them decided to go on a
wolf hunt. His cousins seemed to think this would keep Ville out of the mess,
but I had my doubts.
Ville’s eyes met mine across the room and my body flushed
with heat. He looked glorious in perfectly tailored black pants and an ice
blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. His gaze was pulled away from mine
as he glanced down at the pretty woman in front of him. She looked like a
porcelain doll, with jet-black wings and long, straight hair- a perfect match
for Ville’s lean good looks.
I didn’t realize I was frowning until Marshall spoke.
“Ex-girlfriend,” he said dryly. “Don’t worry about it.” I rolled my eyes.
Sure, that made it all better.
Marshall sighed, and gestured toward Ville. “Should we go
rescue him?”
Women surrounded the emperor, and the majority of the men were
pushed to the outskirts of the little group. A brown haired man caught me
looking at him and stopped staring at the potted plant in the corner. I was
willing to bet he had been counting leaves. Poor guy. He was good-looking
himself, but next to Ville’s glory, everything else kind of paled. I gave him
a wry smile and elbowed Marshall.
“I think it’s the other guys that need saving.”
He laughed. “I think you’re right. None of us poor souls
can compete with our magnificent emperor.” He slipped an arm around my waist. “But
we can try.” His eyes met mine and he winked. “Want to have a bit of fun?”
Ibbe stepped into the little balcony area above. Her eyes
drifted over the group and I knew she was keeping an eye out, looking for
trouble. Her gaze landed on Marshall and I, and she narrowed her eyes in
warning. Marshall grinned at her and she shook her head.
“Oh why they hell not,” I said, saluting Ibbe. She
clenched her teeth and I downed the rest of my whiskey in one shot. I put the
glass on the table and turned to Marshall. “Lead on!”
He chuckled and placed his hand on my waist, pulling me
out into the crowd. Marshall spun me around dramatically, bringing attention
to us before taking me in his arms. I felt the curious and suspicious eyes of
the Fallen on me, but I was used to being an outcast. I straightened my spine
and followed Marshall’s lead, pleasantly surprised to find that I did remember
some dance steps after all.
Other couples joined us in our somewhat mocking rendition
of a waltz. I glanced around to find Ville watching us from his little group,
an unreadable look in his eyes. I smiled, my attention snapping back to
Marshall when he suddenly dipped me so that I almost hit the floor. I wrapped
my arms around his neck with a little gasp and he pulled me back upright,
hugging me close. His breath tickled my ear, and I was sure it looked like an
intimate moment. “Now that we’ve got their attention, why don’t you get to
know the guests?”
He swirled me outward, stepped back, and gave me a mocking
bow. Then he turned to take the hand of a pretty blonde, and spun her away
with a shriek of laughter. The brown haired man from before held out a hand to
me and I took it. He placed his other hand on my hip, and we slowly circled
the room. His dark eyes searched my face, but he seemed curious, not hostile.
“Are you really a Shifter?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
He raised his eyebrows. “But you’re so pretty!” We
slowed to a stop, and a few others drifted near to see what we were talking
about.
I quirked a brow at the man and he looked ashamed, but I forestalled
his apology. “I know what you mean. I was raised to think that all the Fallen
were monsters.” I glanced at the curious faces around me. “But we’re really
not so different.”
A woman sidled close, it took her a few moments, but
eventually she marshaled enough courage to touch my arm. “Do you really turn
into an animal?”
One of her friends elbowed her, but I just smiled. “A
wolf.”
Her eyes widened. “What’s that like?”
I laughed. “It’s amazing. Like slipping into another
soul.” I shrugged and tried to explain. “Every sense is different. The world
is more complex through the eyes of my wolf- but at the same time more simple.”
One of the men nodded wisely, though I knew he didn’t really
understand. A few more people pushed forward. “How did you get here?” A tall,
strong featured woman in the back piped up. “Are you Marshall’s friend?”
One corner of her mouth lifted in a knowing smile. The
others around me looked both fascinated and uncomfortable at what she was
implying. A big, warm hand covered my shoulder and Ville pulled me lightly
against his side. I had been so engrossed in the conversation that I hadn’t
felt him approach.
“Wren is my guest,” he said smoothly. “I admit we were a
little concerned that she wouldn’t be accepted, so Marshall offered to escort
her in.”
The tall woman gave him a frank look. “When I heard the
rumors of you bringing a Shifter to the mansion, I was shocked. But this
little one is adorable.” She grinned at me, an expression I didn’t think she
used much. “I like her.”
I smiled back, enjoying her directness. “Same here.”
Ville’s fingers tightened on my shoulder. “I’m glad to
hear it.”
I glanced around the room. Most of the Fallen seemed to
agree with the tall woman, but not all of them. A few faces were still wary
and reserved.
He withdrew his hand and gestured toward the bar. “Are
you thirsty?”
I took his cue and used the opportunity to get out of the
spotlight. “Very.”
We made our way over to the bar, where we each got a juice
concoction. I’d had enough of their whiskey to last me a lifetime. Ville
leaned against the wall as he sipped his drink. It wasn’t long before the tall
woman joined us.
She took my hand in a firm grip. “I’m Natasha.” .
Ville smiled. “Natasha is from a very important family.
She and her mother have a lot of influence over the upper class.”
Natasha rolled her eyes and snorted. “Unfortunately
true. I think this is the only reason Ville invites me to his home.
Especially when he pulls a stunt like this.”
I glanced between them. “I don’t think that’s the only
reason,” I guessed.
Ville nodded. “I genuinely enjoy her company.” Probably
because she was refreshingly honest.
She sighed, obviously trying to resist his charm. “I
suppose I don’t mind visiting.” She winked at me. “It’s never boring.
Sometimes I see very interesting things. But nothing so interesting as a red
wolf from the east who is so far from where she should be.” Judging by the
look that accompanied that statement, I’d say she knew exactly who I was.
Ville just shrugged. “If only the rest of our people
could see things the way you did, Natasha.”
She sighed. “You realize that it will sound like I’m
undermining the government if I go around spreading pro-Shifter propaganda?”
He lifted his cup. “I know you have a way with words. I
don’t think anyone will question you.”
He sounded confident and at ease, but I could sense his
tension in the slight tightening around his mouth. This whole evening was his
way of dealing with the rumors my presence had caused. Letting the others meet
me and see that I wasn’t a monster was a step in the right direction, but
Natasha could help ensure my acceptance within the upper class.
Straightening, he set our cups aside and took my hand.
“This is all too serious. Let’s go have some fun.” His smile burst forth like
the sun from the clouds.
Dancing with Ville was like floating. His hands on my
body started a warm glow inside that I couldn’t attribute to the dancing- a
brush here, a touch there, never breaking our contact. All things considered,
I was relieved when the party started to break up. I was too flustered to pay
attention to what was going on around me.
The guests stayed until long after dark. I enjoyed the
company, but the dancing and the warmth left me feeling drowsy, and I gladly
joined Ville when the party broke up and he took his leave.
We made our way down the corridor toward our rooms. I
bumped into him a few times, too tired to walk in a straight line. Laughing,
he caught my hand and drew me close. He wasn’t much steadier than I was.
“I almost forgot,” he said suddenly. “I got something for
you while I was in town. Will you stop by my room for just a minute so I can
get it?” His blue eyes shone down at me, and his excitement piqued my
curiosity.
I followed him to his room and flopped on the huge bed
with a sigh of contentment. He loosened his tie, shedding it and his brocade
vest before going to the wardrobe. He pulled out a paper-wrapped package and
came to sit on the bed beside me. I sat up, holding my hands out eagerly.
“It’s been a long time since anyone got me a present.”
He smoothed a graceful hand over my hair and gave me a
tender look. “Then I’ll have to fix that.” He watched eagerly as I untied the
strings that held the paper in place.
I slipped my hands inside, caressing the soft, supple
leather. “Pants?” I shook them out and held them over my legs.
Ville gifted me with one of his soft smiles. “Do you like
them?” He lifted a hand to finger the frothy lace at the neck of my dress. “I
know these frilly things- pretty as they are- aren’t really your style.” His
fingers smoothed over the fabric where it rested on my leg.
I grinned and stroked the leather. “They’re perfect.” I
held them up and examined them. “I had a pair at home that I loved…but these
are much nicer.” .
Ville swayed where he sat, and I realized that I wasn’t
the only one who was exhausted. I folded up the pants and tucked them back
into the paper. “I’ll go. You look tired.”
I went to stand, but his hand still rested on my leg. I
glanced at him and a jolt of electricity fizzed through me. I couldn’t look
away. His light blue eyes were heavy-lidded with fatigue, but there was a look
there that went right to my core. He lifted his other hand and drew his long
fingers through my hair in a fond caress.
“Wren-” I clamped my hand over his mouth, cutting him off.
“Don’t say it,” I begged.
He gently pried my hand away, pausing to kiss the soft
spot just below my wrist, where my pulse hammered away. His deep voice rippled
over my skin. “Don’t go.”
His hand slipped behind my head, cradling it as he pulled
me close. My hands skimmed over his wide chest as our lips met. Heat rose up
in me and I clung to him, tired of fighting it, tired of skirting around this
attraction, fearing it as much as I longed for it.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him as he lay
back, drawing me down. I went willingly, straddling him and our kiss
deepened. His big hands skimmed over my body, across my ribs and down to my
hips, pressing me close. I could feel him through our clothes, big, and hard.
He trailed kisses from my mouth down across my neck, and his
hands rose to my breasts, cupping and kneading through the thin layers of lace
that covered them. I leaned back and his hands dropped to my hips, stroking
their way to my butt while I unbuttoned his shirt. I slid my hands inside, caressing
the smooth, hard planes of him and he curled his fingertips inward, pressing
into my flesh. I leaned forward to flick my tongue lightly over his nipple,
then worked my way upward, planting soft kisses as I went.